- Oct 22, 2022
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There isn't a fitting label for what'd just happened. Not any label available to Smogmaw, at the very least. It wasn't a meeting, nor did it take even half the time meetings normally would. There had not been any agenda. He didn't speak with anyone beforehand to iron out an outline, to collect everyone's input, to reach some consensus first before any official announcement. Precedent eluded him all the while; what processions and rituals followed Pitchstar's final death so many seasons ago, and for Briarstar before him? It's all a blur.
No label, but Smogmaw recognizes immediately the gravity a leader's death holds. Dragging Chilledstar back to camp and telling all the listening ears that there'd be a vigil and their leader's remains should be groomed and prepared. Hardly a meeting in any capacity. But it was nonetheless a singular event etched permanently into Clan history, done before an audience in the safety and openness only camp could supply. When the crowd dispersed, and queens and other volunteers took to tending Chilledstar's body, Smogmaw shuffled alone into the leader den and sealed himself inside.
Only briefly.
The tom took to gathering the various rocks Chilledstar collected over the moons. Mementos, he presumes, an emotional weight to each likely far exceeding Smogmaw's personal understanding. Chilledstar rarely bared such sentiments in his company, if ever at all, and the deputy didn't pry. In his expression the severity diminishes some; his eyes remain impartial but there's less apathy. Silly little things like rock-collecting, habits kept tucked aside, remind him that the cat in whose body rests now was someone first, before anything else. Someone who laughed, or felt anger, or saw worth in keeping plain rocks around.
Less selfishly-absorbed in his future standing, the tom carefully makes several trips carting the collection outside. Settling each with care at Chilledstar's forepaws, placing them methodically, paying special attention as to keep them separate as the departed feline would prefer. Every trip, every rock placed, they were looking more dignified, worthy and deserving. Mockingbirdcry, Loomingpaw, and the other volunteers had tidied them up so well that Smogmaw wore more of their blood on his pelt than they did. A fitting detail. Smogmaw nods, once, stepping away.
Just barely, the moon eclipses its highest peak. It's moonhigh. Time now to begin the vigil and share tongues with their fallen leader, for the very last time. He shirks his voice, allowing instead the crowd to form on its own volition. Mourners, wistful in spirit, congregate in silence or in hushed, fleeting whispers to each other. Smogmaw doesn't have to motion anyone forward with a paw or tail-flick or even tap an apprentice's shoulder to urge them forth. As is instinctive to them, everyone occupies their respected spots.
"I'll begin." Smogmaw breaks the momentary calmness and meets none's gaze when it flicks up. Breath steady, expression set on their late leader, he tucks his tail firmly into place. "In its short history, our clan had never known an era as enduring, as successful and steady, as the moons when Chilledstar stood tall on Clanrock and upheld their rank as leader. ShadowClan owes too much to Chilledstar. It owes its resilience. Its growth. Its survival through harrowing times, like the Yellowcough plague, or when bears'd driven us from our camp. They protected us. Steered us. Strengthened us. And loved us, I think."
Words, monotonous initially, blossom with a mild vigor he didn't prepare. Emotions coming along far more unexpectedly than he'd intended, too. Stark contrast from the stiffness earlier delivering the news they'd passed. His tongue remains level, but his ears swerve back ever slightly, blinking slower now as Smogmaw's head dips low in their direction.
"It is safe to say that their guidance is all some of our younger clanmates have ever known." Any cat under the age of sixteen or seventeen moons may attest to the same. "And I will say myself, too—my esteem for this clan hasn't been stronger than during the moons they sat leader." Smogmaw takes a pause, long, breathing out deeply through his nostrils. He glances at the clan as if the vulnerability started to cripple him. Then his resolve reappears and he raises his voice again. "To their memory. With my words spoken, I will sit silently alongside them. I invite everyone to do the same. It is fitting we reserve tonight wholly for Chilledstar. Chilledstar... thank you."
Nodding again. Eyes closing a heartbeat before the tom settles back down onto his haunches, and lowers himself entirely onto the dessicated camp floor.
No label, but Smogmaw recognizes immediately the gravity a leader's death holds. Dragging Chilledstar back to camp and telling all the listening ears that there'd be a vigil and their leader's remains should be groomed and prepared. Hardly a meeting in any capacity. But it was nonetheless a singular event etched permanently into Clan history, done before an audience in the safety and openness only camp could supply. When the crowd dispersed, and queens and other volunteers took to tending Chilledstar's body, Smogmaw shuffled alone into the leader den and sealed himself inside.
Only briefly.
The tom took to gathering the various rocks Chilledstar collected over the moons. Mementos, he presumes, an emotional weight to each likely far exceeding Smogmaw's personal understanding. Chilledstar rarely bared such sentiments in his company, if ever at all, and the deputy didn't pry. In his expression the severity diminishes some; his eyes remain impartial but there's less apathy. Silly little things like rock-collecting, habits kept tucked aside, remind him that the cat in whose body rests now was someone first, before anything else. Someone who laughed, or felt anger, or saw worth in keeping plain rocks around.
Less selfishly-absorbed in his future standing, the tom carefully makes several trips carting the collection outside. Settling each with care at Chilledstar's forepaws, placing them methodically, paying special attention as to keep them separate as the departed feline would prefer. Every trip, every rock placed, they were looking more dignified, worthy and deserving. Mockingbirdcry, Loomingpaw, and the other volunteers had tidied them up so well that Smogmaw wore more of their blood on his pelt than they did. A fitting detail. Smogmaw nods, once, stepping away.
Just barely, the moon eclipses its highest peak. It's moonhigh. Time now to begin the vigil and share tongues with their fallen leader, for the very last time. He shirks his voice, allowing instead the crowd to form on its own volition. Mourners, wistful in spirit, congregate in silence or in hushed, fleeting whispers to each other. Smogmaw doesn't have to motion anyone forward with a paw or tail-flick or even tap an apprentice's shoulder to urge them forth. As is instinctive to them, everyone occupies their respected spots.
"I'll begin." Smogmaw breaks the momentary calmness and meets none's gaze when it flicks up. Breath steady, expression set on their late leader, he tucks his tail firmly into place. "In its short history, our clan had never known an era as enduring, as successful and steady, as the moons when Chilledstar stood tall on Clanrock and upheld their rank as leader. ShadowClan owes too much to Chilledstar. It owes its resilience. Its growth. Its survival through harrowing times, like the Yellowcough plague, or when bears'd driven us from our camp. They protected us. Steered us. Strengthened us. And loved us, I think."
Words, monotonous initially, blossom with a mild vigor he didn't prepare. Emotions coming along far more unexpectedly than he'd intended, too. Stark contrast from the stiffness earlier delivering the news they'd passed. His tongue remains level, but his ears swerve back ever slightly, blinking slower now as Smogmaw's head dips low in their direction.
"It is safe to say that their guidance is all some of our younger clanmates have ever known." Any cat under the age of sixteen or seventeen moons may attest to the same. "And I will say myself, too—my esteem for this clan hasn't been stronger than during the moons they sat leader." Smogmaw takes a pause, long, breathing out deeply through his nostrils. He glances at the clan as if the vulnerability started to cripple him. Then his resolve reappears and he raises his voice again. "To their memory. With my words spoken, I will sit silently alongside them. I invite everyone to do the same. It is fitting we reserve tonight wholly for Chilledstar. Chilledstar... thank you."
Nodding again. Eyes closing a heartbeat before the tom settles back down onto his haunches, and lowers himself entirely onto the dessicated camp floor.